POLICE discovered hundreds of cannabis plants in a property after being alerted by flames coming from a nearby telegraph pole.
A Durham Police spokesperson said response Officers from D Relief were called shortly after 5pm on Monday night (February 28) to the Close House area of Bishop Auckland after residents witnessed flames coming from a nearby telegraph pole.
The team joined colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and NEDL at the scene on Heslop Street.
While fire colleagues assessed the scene and made the area safe, officers began to make inquiries with the owner of the property connected to the telegraph pole.
Thankfully, they were not in the property at the time however concerns were raised that the fire may have been linked to a possible cannabis grow.
Read more: Trial for Extinction Rebellion activists after Darlington Amazon protest
Inquiries carried out by the local neighbourhood team led officers to force entry to the property and a number of associated addresses.
They seized a total of 328 mature and immature plants worth in excess of £250,000 from the properties which were all fully stocked with professional growing equipment.
Inspector Peter Lonsdale, from Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood team said: “This is a substantial result for the town and residents whose safety is ultimately being put at risk at the cost of these grows."
“The cultivation of plants have direct links to organised crime and what we discovered on Monday night, I have no doubt was funding this type of behaviour. “I’d like to thank local residents who raised the alarm and provided information which allowed the team to act swiftly.”
Anyone wishing to report a crime can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. An investigation is underway in relation to the occupants of these addresses.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article